[OOC Fighter #3]

The sect of Avior is one of the many small sects that revolve around the children of the Divi Filius, although the sect of Avior has reached in the eyes of many, an infamous position. They base their whole life around the martyrdom of Avior Dragon-kin, a famous warlord of the age of heroes. Seen as fanatical radicals by most makerists of the world, they have nonetheless survived through the ages and small pockets of worship exist in both the great cities of the Makerist world and in many smaller lordships spread throughout Rhodokia, Vaegira and Swadia. While in the larger cities, the sect of Avior is very restricted, although not directly outlawed, in many of the more rural areas of Makerist Kingdoms where this sect is prevalent, many local lords claim descent from Avior himself, namely the Viscount Rafarch of Nemeja and Baron Benedict Valant of Valantford.

Legend of Avior

Avior Dragon-kin was a famous proto-calradic chieftain who united many of the tribes and cities of the region which now lays between Suno, Dhirim and Uxkhal into a single realm which would gain fame for his defeat of a Battanian tribe called the “Vengetuni” which, according to the Calradic historian Marrian, worshiped a demonic cult formed by demons that lay beyond the veil.

Of Avior’s origin story there are many - Some say that Avior was the son of Rhudan and Epidaima, the daughter of the previous chieftain of the tribe which he would one day rule. However, the most popular thesis amongst the “Aviorites”, those who follow the sect built upon his legend, is that Avior was instead the son of Rhudan and a Dragon, and that he could breathe fire upon his enemies. The battle over Avior’s legend has been a most constant battle between Aviorites and the broader makerist church - Aviorites insist on Avior’s half draconic nature and his supernatural abilities - while Makerist officials insist that Avior’s legend originated instead from Avior’s famous slaying of a dragon, whose scales he wore as armour.

More of interest to this page, however, is Avior’s later legend, after he had become a warlord in his own right, and preceding his famous war with the Vengetuni. While he lay in his polis, Avior had been famously taken by desperation and madness, until one day, a thunderstorm hailed from the heavens and destroyed the local makerist temple in a inferno of fire, which, no matter the great efforts of the Aviorites, they did not manage to put out. It was then that Avior woke from his stupor - and, facing the fire on his own, saw a vision from the Maker himself in the flames. Ordained by his holy /grandfather/ to fight the demon worshippers into destruction - Avior would reform his people, realm and force into a machine that would eventually defeat the Vengetuni, which in legend, had ten men for each Aviorite.

The battle which would be fought by Avior against his demonic enemies would result in a pyrrhic victory for Avior and his kindred - Avior being wounded mortally in this battle. But before his death, Avior would order his kinsmen to satisfy the wishes of the Maker by purifying the bodies of the dead and the souls of his still living enemies - by burning them all. And so, his son and successor would start the famous Aviorite tradition of burning the bodies of the dead, and the use of death by fire to enact justice upon those defeated.

Tenants of Worship:
-While most makerists focus only on the sun as the Maker’s direct link to earth, Aviorites also recognize fire as a symbol of the Maker. Lords are supposed to keep a “eternal fire” upon their conversion, and must make it keep going for the full lenght of their lives. It is the duty of their successor to put it out, and light one for himself.
-Dedication to the community is a sacred tenant of the cult of Avior. Thus, justice and law are meant to be upheld at all times, and laws are meant to be strict and forthwith. The only way an Aviorite has the right to execute another man is by fire, so that the soul of the sinner is purified.
-Despotism and corruption are both sins in Aviorite culture. Any man must be the best he can be, and all those who fall into sin and/or refuse to better themselves everyday as a Makerist are considered outcasts.
-Both men and women can join the cloth in the rank and file of the Aviorites. Priests are referred to as “Keepers of the Fire” and are respected members of Aviorite societies.
-The symbol of Avior is a fiery heart and Aviorites are required to pray to the Maker at least three times a day - facing fire - it can be a hearth or a simple candle.